To the four recipients of the 2015 Distinguished Alumni Award. 

The recipients of this year’s awards were recognized on Thursday at the Education Foundation of Albert Lea’s Pathways to Success celebration at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club.

The recipients are Pete Veldman, class of 1951; John Morrison, class of 1955; Rebecca Barr, class of 1956; and Linda Cruz-Lares, class of 1974.

Distinguished Alumni awards are given annually to graduates of Albert Lea High School who achieved success in the area of business and economic achievement or humanitarian and public service achievement.

The three living recipients led a discussion with seniors at Albert Lea High School on Thursday.

Congratulations on your achievements.

 

To everyone involved in the search Friday for a missing 96-year-old woman in southeastern Freeborn County.

The community breathed a sigh of relief Friday afternoon when a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter crew member discovered resident Rose Foss, lying in a cornfield north of her home in the small Freeborn County community of London. The discovery came shortly before 4 p.m., almost six hours after authorities received a report that Foss was missing.

Foss last had contact with someone at 11 a.m. Thursday, and it is unclear how she ended up in the cornfield or if she endured it there overnight.

We thank the members of these agencies and the volunteers who took time out of their day in the search.

We can find comfort knowing these agencies stand ready to help when the need arises.

 

To sex trafficking in southeast Minnesota.

A Southeast Region Safe Harbor Conference this week shed light on the potential for sex trafficking in Albert Lea at the crossroads of two major highways, Interstates 35 and 90.

According to the volunteer coordinator and prevention specialist at Victim Services of Dodge, Fillmore and Olmsted counties, the number of sex trafficking cases in southeastern Minnesota has increased dramatically recently.

And Albert Lea is no different, according to a local investigator.

We applaud local organizations such as the Albert Lea Citizens Against Human Trafficking organization for their efforts to raise awareness of the issue and goals to end both trafficking and exploitation here.